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Hi I'm Ronn

I am a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, potter, wood-turner, and a Texas Mormon.

About Me

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I grew up doing most of the things Latter-day Saint teenagers do. I attended one year at BYU. At the time the Vietnam War was in full scale. The United States limited the Church to the number of young men they could send on missions. However, I was able to serve a two year mission in England. After marrying my wife, I completed my education at Brigham younf University and taught Industrial Arts in Idaho for several years. I then moved to Logan, Utah and completed a Master of Science degree at Utah State University. We then moved to Texas so I could complete a Doctorate degree. at Texas A&M University. We still live in Texas and I have taught full or part time at Texas State University since 1994. We have seven children and twenty five grandchildren to spoil.
I love tools and to make things with my hands in many mediums. I particularly like to make pottery with a potter’s wheel and to make wooden bowls with a wood lathe. I have a book titled: Centering in Pottery, Poetry, and the Person by Mary Carline Richards. Chapter two is titled; Centering as Transformation. I enjoyed her thoughts and have developed some thoughts around centering our lives around the Savior. As a teacher I have in my mind found metaphors between the pottery throwing process and my life as a Mormon.

Why I am a Mormon

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I have had people tell me that I am Latter-day Saint because I had no choice. I was forced or brainwashed to be LDS. They would likely tell me my children are from the same mold. I believe my children should learn English as their first language. My wife and I have taught our children to be Latter-day Saint similarly to teaching them English. Each child in all families at some point, cuts the apron strings. At this point each one chooses to continue in what they were taught or to follow other interests. I chose to continue to follow the LDS religion and I choose each day to do so. To be a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one must receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that God wants you to continue to follow the commandments and teachings in the LDS church. Being a Latter day-Saint is not easy for most people. Each person on this earth is given challenges to face and overcome. Only through the guidance of the Holy Ghost does one maintain a proper perspective of what is truly important.
I believe that God did not put us here on this earth to have a vacation for 75 years. We are here to learn and to grow. In fact, I see life as test – a test for entrance to graduate school. Not a school of this world, but a graduate school after we leave this life. This test requires some people to die as a testament of their convictions. However, most of us are not asked to die, but to live our life as a testament of our faith. I believe the second is often more difficult than the first. I am a Mormon because I choose to be each day. That decision is supported by regular promptings from the spirit; that God wants me to be valiant in my testimony of the Savior, as a Mormon.

How I live my faith

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I once read: “that an educated man is one who understands the implications of his beliefs.” I attempt to live my religion based on this statement, however, there are some items I do not completely understand; because of that I fall short at times.
Sometimes my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak and I do not do what I know I should. This life is sometimes a tough test for me. I try and fail (sin) – then repent and try again – repent and so goes my life. I am not perfect – far from it. The Latter-day Saint church is not for perfect people, but to help sinners to repent, change, and follow the Savior so that we can live with our Heavenly Father after we leave this life test.
As part of the LDS religion we have no paid ministry. Therefore, all are asked to fulfill given assignments to work in the kingdom. I have had the privilege of serving in the Sunday School, Young Men, local leadership, and currently serve with the Young Single Adults. The Young Single Adults age range is from out of high school to 30. They keep me young. Somehow they like me and are patient with me.
Joseph Smith once stated: “. . . A religion that does require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” My path in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints has not been easy, but it has been worth it. I invite you to do a personal investigation of how the Latter-day Saint church could change your life. I’m a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, potter, wood-turner, and a Texan Mormon.

Did you know that Jesus Christ established a church when he was on the earth and called 12 apostles to lead the church after his death? Watch this video to learn why there are so many churches today and how Christ's church was restored to the earth.